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Phaeostachys spinifera is found off all British coasts, but has a limited distribution elsewhere. It has been reported from Danish waters and is probably widespread in the southern North Sea, extending no further than the Faroe Isles.

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Physical Description

Morphology

Phaeostachys spinifera is an encrusting bryozoan that forms flat and often extensive colonies which are light brown in colour. Autozooids are oval to hexagonal and convex. They are 0.54-0.64 by 0.4-0.5 mm, with five to seven stout pointed spines around the orifice.